Education

Shawn Allen Sr. had a dream: academic success for African-American young people.

As parent of several students in Shelby County Public Schools, Allen has become familiar with the strengths and opportunities available to help students succeed. His own children have benefitted from creative teaching methods and extra-curricular activities in local schools.

But Allen’s dream reached beyond championing benefits for his children alone. He said he wanted to close the achievement gap and to increase academic successes for Black students.

The Shelby County Board of Education will get the school year started with a busy agenda at Thursday’s meeting.

The board will hear several reports, including an update on both the Northside and Southside new school projects.

The board approved the submission of the Northside Early Childhood Center construction documents to the Kentucky Department of Education at its meeting July 26 but requested seeing a the exterior design again.

District officials and the Wright Elementary Site-Based Decision-Making Council are going to have to scramble to fill the principal’s position at Wright.

Bethany Groves, who had been an assistant principal in Jacksonville, Fla., was hired in early May, but on Sunday she alerted the district that she was resigning the position, which started on July 1, citing family concerns.

The Shelby County Board of Education will make its review of Superintendent James Neihof public at Thursday’s meeting.

In accordance with state law, the board met with Neihof in closed session during its meeting on  June 14, discussing with him its preliminary evaluation.

At this week’s meeting, which will be in the district’s offices, 1155 Main Street in Shelbyville, the board will present those discussions to the public.

Neihof, who was hired in 2008, has received very positive reviews in the past two years.